--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

understanding of genes and their products

For this assignment you will have to make use of information and skills gained throughout the 4 weeks of the introductory programme. This may be understanding of genes & their products, how to find and reference information from different sources, and specifically how to execute code in Perl, Java and R - it will also test your logical thinking and a little bit of basic maths!

Part A. 

You are provided with an HGNC gene symbol - HTRA1. This protein is involved with Human disease. Prepare a one-page summary of the gene, its product, the disease and the protein/gene's role in the disease.

Part B. 

Obtain the sequence for the gene and the sequence for the RNA transcript in FASTA format. If there is more than one transcript choose and appropriate one and explain your choice. Using Perl, convert the FASTA format files into a simple strings containing only nucleotides - save those for later -  and determine the amino acid sequence of the protein.

Part C. 

Using the sequences prepared with Perl, calculate the molecular weight of the Gene vs mRNA vs protein using Java.

Part D. You now have sequences for gene, RNA and protein. Write an R script to calculate answers to the following:

By taking the current estimate of global population and multiplying that by the estimate for the average number of cells in the human body, determine the total number of nucleotides representing the coding part of the gene in living humans.

If all of these nucleotides were printed out using 12pt Arial font on A4 with 3cm margins and the sheets laid end-to-end, how long would it take to drive along the paper at 30km/h ? For comparison, how long would it take to drive the length of this sequence of nucleotides at the same speed, if it was in the form of a molecule of double-stranded DNA helix laid end-to-end ?

Presentation. 

There are also 10 marks available for good presentation of part A, correct referencing and well formatted/commented code.

Submission

You should submit your one page summary, Perl, Java and R scripts along with the solution to the two final questions to the Digital Drop Box on Blackboard .

Throughout the assignment, reference your sources of information appropriately.

   Related Questions in Biology

  • Q : Describe the term Nuclear energy

    Briefly describe the term Nuclear energy?

    		•
  • Q : Wide or narrow span Wide or narrow span

    Wide or narrow span Often there is a controversy whether an organization should adopt the policy of narrow span or wide span of management. While most of the classic

    		•
  • Q : Which heart chamber does the blood go

    To which heart chamber does the blood go subsequent to leaving the left atrium? Name the valve which separates such compartments?

    		•
  • Q : Adnexal organ of the digestive system

    Name the adnexal organ of the digestive system in which the bile is stored? Describe the reaction of organ to ingestion of fat rich food?

    		•
  • Q : Contingency or situational approach

    Contingency or situational approach Contingency or situational approach is an important addition to the paradigm of the modern management theory and approach. In one

    		•
  • Q : Androecium and gynoecium-structures of

    Briefly describe the term androecium and gynoecium? And also write down other structures of the flowers?

    		•
  • Q : Ethnicity-Charachetstic of

    The term ethnicity refers to the ethnic composition of a group or organization. Census statistics indicate that between 2000 and 2050 not only will the U.S. population increase from 281 to 392 million, but the racial mix will change dramatically. These changes in the racial mix of the overall pop

    		•
  • Q : Type of animals does the placenta exist

    In which type of animals does the placenta exist? Also explain their main function?

    		•
  • Q : Active transport via biological

    What is the energy source employed in active transport via biological membranes?

    		•
  • Q : Explain the nature of Lipid rafts

    Lipid rafts provide another example of the complexity of cell surfaces in both their structural character and biologic functionality. Please explain the nature of these structures and their functionality.

    		•